How far should a portable ladder extend past the landing being used?

• A. Two feet
• B. Three feet
• C. Four feet
• D. Five feet

Answer: (B)

Ladders must extend enough past the landing to give you a secure handhold and a safe step onto the surface below. Extending three feet above the landing provides a solid grip area and enough clearance to step off without standing on the top rung or reaching awkwardly. Extending less leaves you with insufficient room to grab hold or step down safely, increasing the chance of slipping or losing balance. Extending more than three feet isn’t necessary for this scenario and doesn’t add meaningful safety in the same way, so the three-foot minimum is the practical standard.